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Sport has for long dominated a significant place in the Australian society. Many Australians are involved in sport – as participants, spectators or gamblers – roles which date back into the earliest days of European settlement. Sport in Australia has for long enhanced or helped in the creation of Australia as a nation and has instilled positive values in people such as courage, competitiveness, teamwork and a community spirit among people. On the contrary, sport has been associated with gambling, drugs among participants and that it has become more of a commercial entity than its intended purpose. From the early 1800s, sport has expanded in Australia, incorporating many sports from all areas.
In many ways Australia seems to be the sports and outdoor activity capital of the world. The various climates available around Australia, throughout the year, enables a wide range of activities all year around. Among the sports played include; water sports e.g. surfing, rafting and fishing; ball sports; soccer, volleyball, rugby, cricket and tennis; equestrian sports and other sports such as archery, cycling, swimming etc. But significantly, Australia boasts of having brought to life a unique and most popular sport among its natives, the Australian Rules football. This has for long been supported by many Australians of all generations who have taken pride in it. There has also been the introduction of sports for disabled people who go against all odds to achieve honour and respect in the societies. Just as there are Olympics for the able bodied, the Paralympics are held for such athletes and Australia has also been successful in that field.
On the international scene, Australia has made a world impact through its participation and hosting of various international events ranging from tennis tournaments, grand prix races to major world events such as Olympics of which Australia has been host twice. From such events, internationally recognised Australian sportsmen and women have emerged. People like; Betty Cuthbert, Raelene Boyle, Debbie Flintoff-King, Lauren Burns, Cathy Freeman, Susie O’Neill, Ian Thorpe, Kathy Watt and Louise Sauvage etc. It is evident that Australia is among the best sporting nations in the world via its tremendous performance in the Athens 2004 Olympics were it came out forth recording a total of forty-nine medals: seventeen gold, sixteen silver and sixteen bronze medals.
The major factor contributing to the success of sport in Australia is the involvement of both the government and the private individuals in the various disciplines of sport. The federal and state governments of Australia have timelessly invested large amounts of sporting facilities. The Australian Sports Commission, a government body, has been put in place to coordinate the Government’s commitment & contribution to sport. It provides national leadership in all facets of sport from the elite level through to the wider sporting community.
In conclusion, it can be said that sport has a great influence among Australians despite its minimal but effective negative impacts. It has been successful and gained a reputation in various international sports. Government effort and many other contributions from participants and spectators, have helped in the making of Australia one of the world’s greatest sporting nations.
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Joseph-Peter
A wise man once told me that there are only two best weapons that you can have in this world: a pen and your mouth. The good thing about these two weapons is that they don't run out of ammunition, unless you decide to stop firing. That ammunition is words.
I am a person who is vocal but I have come to know that when I write about something, I write it with total consideration and commitment, more so than I do when talking. I have a passion for writting. I believe that scripts are capable of changing lives of many - including the author.
I trust in words and as long as I play with them in the right way, they are able to get me either into or out of any situation.
Let words battle it out for you.
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